England : Isle of Wight IoW Randonnee 2025

[livpoksoc]

I've just signed up to the 2025 IoW Randonnee, having given it a miss for several years now.

Excited to give this a go, but wondering if anyone can share some tips for getting to/from the island. I'm Hampshire based so getting across from either Lymington, Southampton and Portsmouth is fine for me, but not sure how early to arrive for a ferry etc. as I imagine it can get quite busy?

Similarly what's it like getting back over? Is there a terminal building to keep warm if the weather is bad?

I was considering crossing the night before and camping near one of the start points, which would make things easier, but does mean carrying a tent over with me and either leaving it on site for the day, or lugging it around with me.

 

[lazybloke]

I drive down from Surrey to Portsmouth, park, then take the Wightlink car ferry as a foot passenger+bike. It's about £12 each way.

Book early, as the ferries do fill up.
I went for an 8am crossing in 2024, which gave me plenty of time on the island.
(Two years earlier I was on a later crossing and felt pushed for time)

Outbound, the Portsmouth ferry terminal is pretty good. There'll be a hundred or so cyclists lurking just outside the passenger termianl building; so it's handy if you want tea/coffee/snacks or the loo.

Once on the island you're only 5 minutes ride from the nearest checkpoint. Enjoy your day.

COming back, I found Fishbourne a bit cold and exposed to the elements, so I lurked there until called for my ferry. There's coffee, but I seem to remember their opening hours are quite limited, so worth checking that one.

IF you parked at Gunwharf Quays, the parking is discounted by showing your Wightlink booking at the parking office.

 

[livpoksoc]

I drive down from Surrey to Portsmouth, park, then take the Wightlink car ferry as a foot passenger+bike. It's about £12 each way.

Book early, as the ferries do fill up.
I went for an 8am crossing in 2024, which gave me plenty of time on the island.
(Two years earlier I was on a later crossing and felt pushed for time)

Outbound, the Portsmouth ferry terminal is pretty good. There'll be a hundred or so cyclists lurking just outside the passenger termianl building; so it's handy if you want tea/coffee/snacks or the loo.

Once on the island you're only 5 minutes ride from the nearest checkpoint. Enjoy your day.

COming back, I found Fishbourne a bit cold and exposed to the elements, so I lurked there until called for my ferry. There's coffee, but I seem to remember their opening hours are quite limited, so worth checking that one.

IF you parked at Gunwharf Quays, the parking is discounted by showing your Wightlink booking at the parking office.

Thank you. Did you prebook your ferry time for the return journey, or was it a case of arrive at the terminal and you could get the next one along?

Weighing up southampton vs portsmouth, as someone reminded me Lymington on bank holiday weekend will be hell to get to through the forest roads.

 

[lazybloke]

Thank you. Did you prebook your ferry time for the return journey, or was it a case of arrive at the terminal and you could get the next one along?

Weighing up southampton vs portsmouth, as someone reminded me Lymington on bank holiday weekend will be hell to get to through the forest roads.

I've always booked a late crossing back, but then boarded an earlier ferry without any moans when they scan my ticket.

 

[livpoksoc]

I've always booked a late crossing back, but then boarded an earlier ferry without any moans when they scan my ticket.

Lovely stuff. Thanks.

 

[lazybloke]

No worries, hope you enjoy it.
Wish I was doing it, but I'm doing another event that weekend.

With a bit of luck you'll have a dry, bright day, and the cliffs will look like the background pic on cycleisland.co. uk.
Every time I ride the event it looks more like this:

If you do a search of the website you'll find quite a few Isle of Wight cycling accounts to read.

 

[livpoksoc]

No worries, hope you enjoy it.
Wish I was doing it, but I'm doing another event that weekend.

With a bit of luck you'll have a dry, bright day, and the cliffs will look like the background pic on cycleisland.co. uk.
Every time I ride the event it looks more like this:
View attachment 761317

If you do a search of the website you'll find quite a few Isle of Wight cycling accounts to read.

Thanks. Yeah, having grown up just across the water, I know too well the weather can either be a beaut or a hindrance.

Fingers crossed for the former.

 

[YMFB]

We cycled the route last year, it was a great day and one I’m sure we will repeat, possibly the reverse. We used Lymington and had no problem, however we decided to avoid the Randonee because of its popularity.

Theres lots of YouTube vids.

enjoy